I thought I was sleeping okay

[skylark40]

I've been using the Swift LT for Her for a mere two weeks now and thought I was sleeping well. I'm currently away from home, staying in a hotel, and find I'm having tons of leaks, mouth breathing, etc. I went so far as to tape my mouth shut last night (along with my chin strap) but found I was having leaks around the nasal pillows which I seldom had at home. What's the deal? My daughter is with me and she says I sound like a leaky air mattress

Now I'm thinking I need a hybrid mask but hate to think about it. Any suggestions?

[DoriC]

Could it be the hotel bed pillows? My husband always brings along his own SleePapPillow although we don't travel too much anymore.

[elena88]

I agree with Dori..
probably the pillows, the bed, or the climate control in the AC, more tossing and turning..
dust, coughing...

[jdm2857]

Maybe you don't sleep as well without your cat.

[jweeks]

Any suggestions?

Hi,

Run out to a grocery store or drug store. Look for a product called Lansinoh. It comes in a purple tube, and it can be found in the baby products isle. Put a little of this stuff on the nasal pillows, or around the rim of your nares. The product is a thick grease. It can really help making a seal.

I don't know why your house would be different from the hotel.

The other suggestion is to try different size pillows. Your mask should have come with 3 different sizes. The LT for her has medium, small, and extra small. The regular Swift LT has large, medium, and small.

-john-

[wordgirl57]

I've been on CPAP for about four months. A few weeks ago, I tried switching from my Tempur-Pedic style foam pillow, which is a little high, to a cushier, fluffier pillow. Never had a single leak with the foam pillow, but as soon as I tried sleeping on that cushy pillow, I had leaks. I switched back to the foam pillow, and haven't had a leak since. Hotel pillows can be very squishy--I wouldn't be surprised if it's the pillow that's the problem.

[chunkyfrog]

I love the idea of a 'pillow wardrobe' --(bed pillows)
Some masks just do not work on the wrong pillow.

[Janknitz]

It's probably the hotel pillow BUT you do not have a data capable machine, and therefore there's no way to check to see if you are doing the same thing at home or not.

Is there any way you can get a data capable machine? Otherwise you may switch masks until the cows come home and never realize if you are having mouth leaks or other issues. If that's just not possible, you should look into a recording oximiter or perhaps renting a data capable machine periodically to check in on your therapy.

[skylark40]

It's probably the hotel pillow BUT you do not have a data capable machine, and therefore there's no way to check to see if you are doing the same thing at home or not.

Is there any way you can get a data capable machine? Otherwise you may switch masks until the cows come home and never realize if you are having mouth leaks or other issues. If that's just not possible, you should look into a recording oximiter or perhaps renting a data capable machine periodically to check in on your therapy.

I believe my cpap is a data capable machine - I have just received the software to view what's on the SD card. The software just arrived at my house, so I won't be able to get to it until I return home in about two weeks.

[skylark40]

Thanks for all the kind replies. I agree with you all; the climate here in Hawaii is much different than Kansas, and the hotel environment is well, you know, hotel environment. The pillows are pretty squishy, the air is much drier due to a/c, there's dust, etc. I upped the humidity on my machine to the highest setting last night but I couldn't tell much difference. Also, I take my Fom brand u-shaped pillow with me when I travel and use that with a regular pillow, but I think the squishy pillow underneath is not working for me.

I use the Medium size nasal pillows, so maybe tonight I'll try the small and see what happens. It couldn't hurt, right

My daughter is pretty much an unbeliever in this cpap thing, all this hissing and leaking is making her think the whole thing is a load of horse hockey. I'm grateful I'm on the lower end of those needing cpap, but maybe if my improvement had been more dramatic she might understand it is a lifesaver for those who are truly in danger while they sleep.

[DoriC]

It's probably the hotel pillow BUT you do not have a data capable machine, and therefore there's no way to check to see if you are doing the same thing at home or not.

Is there any way you can get a data capable machine? Otherwise you may switch masks until the cows come home and never realize if you are having mouth leaks or other issues. If that's just not possible, you should look into a recording oximiter or perhaps renting a data capable machine periodically to check in on your therapy.

I believe my cpap is a data capable machine - I have just received the software to view what's on the SD card. The software just arrived at my house, so I won't be able to get to it until I return home in about two weeks.

Are you showing the wrong machine in your profile? If it truly is the Plus, it is not data-capable, it just shows compliance.

[Muse-Inc]

...I use the Medium size nasal pillows, so maybe tonight I'll try the small and see what happens. It couldn't hurt, right ...

While 'mediums' are what the RTs say I should use, I chose to use the 'large' pillows 'cause I get more air and a better seal. Squishy pillows = leaks for me. Love my memory-foam contour pillow.

[Janknitz]

When in doubt with nasal pillows try one size up first.

I too thought that you have the Plus machine from your equipment listed--that's the link the photo goes to. The Plus is not data capable.

[skylark40]

When in doubt with nasal pillows try one size up first.

I too thought that you have the Plus machine from your equipment listed--that's the link the photo goes to. The Plus is not data capable.

Okay, I'm thoroughly confused. I do have the machine shown in my profile and I asked if it was data capable when I picked it up from my DME. AND I just paid $99 for the Encoreviewer software which is going to show me, what? that I've had the machine on every night? I was hoping for more information about how I was doing.

[cpapernewbie]

Legally your DME is correct.

There is data in your Plus, but it is not useful data. It just tell you how many hours you sleep with it daily and you do not need the software to analyze this.

Suggest that you do not open the software and return it back to the seller